Sheet feeding and imprinting mechanism



Feb. 3, 1931. J. P. ALDRl-CH ET AL SHEET FEEDING AND IMPRINTING MECHANISM Filed July 15, 1929 Patented Feb. 3, 19 31 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN P. ALDRICH AND HOWARD A. MORRIS, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO THE AUIOHAT MOLDING & FOLDING COMPANY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF omo Application filed m 15, 1929. Serial No. 878,364.

ly to mechanismof this type adapted to feed and imprint sheet material ofa relatively thin and flexible nature commonly used in the wrapping of bars of and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple and eflicient mechanism for continlo uously feeding sheet material to a severing apparatus, and during such continuous operation recurrently to imprint the sheet in the desired manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism of the above character which is simple in construction, reliable in opera: tion, and has the new and improved features of construction, arrangement and operation hereinafter described.

The invention is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which: v v

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of so much of the apparatus as will enable the embodiment of the invention to be understood,'showing the feeding, severing and draw-01f rolls in their relative position to, the imprinting and sheet arresting mechanism Fig. 2 is a top plan view ofvthe sheet im- 30 printing and sheet arresting mechanisms, 9. portion of the supplyroll being broken away;

Fig. 3 is a front end elevation ofthe apparatus showing the means for operating the imprinting andv arresting mechanisms, the imprinting mechanism being shown in operation; I

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the severing, cutting, and draw-oft rolls, and a compensator in its position during the period of sheet arrest; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showin the position of the parts during the peri of operation during the imprinting and sheet arresting operation; and

butter, oleomargarine,

Fig. 6 is-an enlarged side elevation art-- ly in section of the sheet clamping mem ers.

- The illustrated embodiment of the mvention comprises an apparatus for continuous- 1y feeding relatively thinand flexible sheet time an imprinting device operates to perforate the sheet for identification or other purposes. It is found desirable to so imprint sheets which are used for wrapping barsfof butter, oleomargarine; or the like, so that the dairy or distributor maybe able to readily ascertain, should occasion arise, when the maa terial was made, packaged, etc, and it is to be understood that, although this invention is of particular use for the above purposes, the above and following description is given merely by way of illustration and not of limitation, for the invention is not to be ctonsidered as confined to such narrow lim- 1 s.

The apparatus shown on the drawings comprises a frame 1 which may for'm a part of a wrapping and packa 'ng machine, and rising therefrom is a brac et 2, on which is mounted a roll 3 of sheet material, such as relatively light flexible paper. From the roll 3 alength L extends horizontally along the upper portion of the frame 1, and then the sheet passes downwardly over a guide roll 4 to another guide roll 5. From the roll 5 the sheet passes over a roll 6-, which is carried by arms 7 pivoted to the frame'at 8. Coil springs 9 normally hold the arms 7 upwardly substantially as shown in Fig. 1. The roll 6 and associated parts we term a compensator, and itspurpose will hereinafter appear.

From the com ensator roll 6 the sheet passes downward y between av pair of opposed continuously operating feed rolls 10, which .ieed the sheet between opposed cutting rolls 11 and o posed rolls 12 rotate at a speed in excess 0 the rolls 10 to draw 01f or discharge the severed sheet segments. The manner of operating the rolls 1011 and 12,

' forms no part of the present invention, suflice it to say that the feed rolls 1O continuously operate to feed the sheet material.

At recurrent intervals the movementof the portion L of the sheet is momentarily arrested, at which time an imprinting deg plete memes vice operates to perforate the sheet. The

sheet arresting device comprises a lower clamping plate 13 and an upper clamping plate let, between which the horizontal length ll of the sheet normally passes. The upper clamping plate 14: is pivoted at 15 to e bracket 16 rising from the frame 1. clamping plates 13 end 14 are normally held in opposed relation loy coil springs positioned on opposite sides thereof. 1P1voted st 18 to a rib 19 depending from the lower clamping; plate 13 is one end of an operating; lever 20, which is :tnlernmed at 21 to s saddle 2% formed on the upper clamping Rising from a hraclret 23 adjacent the outer end portion of the lever is e. rod 9543, on which is a coil spring 25 hearing at one end against the upper surface of the lever 9 0 at the opposite end against an adjustnlole washer 26. It is aparent that by release of the end of the lever 20, the spring; .25 moves the clamping memhers 13 end it together into clamping relation.

As shove pointed out, the sheet is imprinted substantially at the time that the movement of the length L is arrested. The imprinting device is indicated generally by the reference numher 27, and is of well lmovm construction, so that the description of the form end operation thereof is deemed unnecessary. The imprinting machine is operated by n handle 28, which, upon downward movement, operates the machine toperiorete the sheet after the inennerindicsted st 29 on Fig. 2. The arm 28 of the imprinting or perforating" machine has n. substantially L'shepe extension, to which is connected it depending rod 30. lPivoted to the lower end of the rod 80 is an arm 31, the opposite end of which is pivoted to a snitehle support 3. intermediate the ends oi the arm 31 is a roller 89F", which is held in engagement with a earn 33 hy a. coil sprin s" l ormed in the peripl'ier y of the i 841. This of the rod 3Q, erehy operet 1; mac e 1L1. Substantially at, or prior to the operation of the 5.1 e ii-ting machine, the clamping members 13 d it ere brought into engagement. For

on the rod and forms a rest for the outer end of the lever20- Upon downward movement or"- thecollar fi, as indicated in Fig. 5, the arm is releasedend allowed to be snapped downwardly by the force of the coil spring 25, thereby causing the clamping members 11.3 end 14; abruptlyto engage the The s purpose a collar 36 is edjustebly. monntsheet material and arrest further movement thereof.

As soon as the roller 32 is forced from the depression 35, due to the rotation of the cam 33, the parts are restored to normal position, and the sheet is released fromengagement. The above operation takes place quickly, and effects hut a slight interruption to the movement of thesheet.

lit is desired that the feed rollers 10 cone5 tinuously operate, and in order that a sixthcient length of sheet be supplied to the feed rolls the above described compensator is provided. Normally due to the "force of the coil springs 9, the roller 6 is held in its upward position, creating considerable slack in the sheet As soon as the sheet arresting; mechanism or clamping members 13 and 14 operate to interrnptthe movement of the length ll of the shec't,'the feed rolls 10 take up the slack maintained by the compensator substantially as shown in Fig. l, but upon release of the sheet by the arresting mechanism the compensator returns to its normal position, shown in Fig. 1, to be in readiness no for the next succeeding arresting and imprinting, operations.

While the form of mechanism here shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to he or understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form of embodiment herein disclosed, and it is susceptible of embodiment vnrions forms, all coming within the scope of the claim which follows. let

What we claim as new and desire to se cure by Letters Patent is:

In n device of the class described, a pair of continuously rotating opposed rolls adopted to engage and feed sheet material 365 therebetvveen, means operable transversely of the direction of movement of the sheet for clamping the sheet and momentarily erresting movement thereof, an imprinting" device for operating on the sheet during its 11 period of rest, and spring tensioned roller engaging the sheet hetween said rolls and clamping means for normally maintaining slecls: there In testirn signed our 

